Civil Society Perspectives on the Future of Multilateralism, UN Reform, and the Pact for the Future
The European Futures Forum, organized as part of the Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN) Regional Futures Forum process, will bring together European civil society organizations, youth representatives, policy experts, and partners to reflect on the future of the multilateral system in the context of the UN80 reform process, evolving global leadership dynamics, and the implementation of the Pact for the Future.
European countries remain key supporters of multilateralism, while also facing significant challenges, including geopolitical tensions, democratic pressures, climate and energy transitions, and the governance of rapidly advancing digital technologies. At the same time, ongoing discussions on UN reform and leadership transitions are reshaping the global governance landscape. Civil society across the region continues to play a vital role in connecting global commitments with local realities, despite increasingly uneven civic space in some contexts.
The European Futures Forum provides a space to bring these perspectives together and to reflect on how the Pact for the Future, UN reform efforts, and broader global governance dynamics can shape a more effective, inclusive, and responsive multilateral system.
Format of the Forum
The Forum will be organized as a two-step process, combining expert insights with participatory dialogue:
Session 1 – Expert Briefing (held April 16 2026)
The first session of the European Futures Forum brought together experts to reflect on the evolving landscape of multilateral cooperation in the context of the Pact for the Future, the UN80 reform process, and broader global governance dynamics. Discussions highlighted both progress and persistent gaps in areas such as SDG implementation in Europe, peace and security, digital governance, and youth engagement. A key message emerging across interventions was the growing tension between ambitious global commitments and the realities of shrinking resources, geopolitical fragmentation, and uneven implementation. Speakers also emphasized the need to strengthen accountability, renew trust in multilateral institutions, and ensure that ongoing reform processes, including UN80, support, rather than sideline, the implementation of the Pact. Against this backdrop, the upcoming Civil Society Consultation will build on these insights to identify regional priorities, address accountability gaps, and develop concrete recommendations to inform the future direction of the multilateral system.
Session 2 – Civil Society Consultation
April 24, 2026 l 11:00 – 12:45 (CEST)
The second session will focus on interactive discussion and input from civil society participants. Through a structured dialogue, participants will identify regional priorities, accountability gaps, and actionable recommendations related to the Pact for the Future, the UN80 reform process, and the broader future of multilateral cooperation.
Participants will be able to contribute both through live discussions and written inputs, ensuring inclusive participation, including for those unable to attend the session in full.
Register for Session 2: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ixODQNbFREmfSxTciYlikw
If you are unable to participate in Session 2, you are invited to provide written input by April 30 by completing this form.
Why Participate
The European Futures Forum offers an opportunity to:
- Engage in regional dialogue on the future of multilateral cooperation and UN reform
- Contribute to shaping civil society inputs on the implementation of the Pact for the Future
- Identify key regional priorities and accountability challenges
- Connect with civil society actors and experts working across sustainable development, governance, and global policy processes
The outcomes of the Forum will contribute to the Global Futures Forum in July 2026, taking place on the margins of the High-Level Political Forum in New York (HLPF), and inform civil society engagement in the lead-up to the 2027 SDG Summit and the 2028 Review of the Pact for the Future.
Register now to participate in one or both sessions and contribute to shaping civil society perspectives on the future of multilateralism.